Method for washing and fulling fabrics



A. BERTOLDI METHOD FOR WASHING AND FULLING FABRICS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21 1963 INVENTOR fiwM/Ms May 9, 1967 A. BERTOLDI 3,317,976

METHOD FOR WASHING AND FULLING FABRICS Filed Oct. 21, 1963 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR May 9, 1967 A. BERTOLDI 3,317,976

METHOD FOR WASHING AND FULLING FABRICS Filed'OQt. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,317,976 METHOD FOR WASHING AND FULLING FABRICS Attilio Bertoldi, Manerbio, Brescia, Italy Ing. A.

Giambrocono, Galleria Regina Giovanna 36/3, Milan,

This invention relates to a method and a machine for washing and/ or fulling fabrics and felts.

Many types of machines for washing fabrics and felts, and other types of machines for fulling such goods, are already known. In such machines, the operations are carried out on a piece of goods, after the ends thereof have been connected e.g. by sewing with one another, thus forming a closed ring which is submitted to a continuous pressing action, exerted by means of rollers and movable walls.

The latter equipment is generally utilized both for fulling and washing operations, whereby both 'washing and fulling machines are to be considered as equivalents in principle.

The above stated mode of operation, that consists in having a continuous pressure exerted on the fabric or felt which is being washed or fulled, is by no means a sound practice, as proved by the unusually long time which is required to perform the above operations.

Another fulling method, presently followed, is based on the use of the so called hammer fullers, wherein a fabric or felt is intermittently acted upon by a hammer. However, no wide industrial application for the process ing of fabrics has been found by such equipment, because since the fulling action is not uniform in all portions of the fabric, it is not possible to control the action in both the width and length thereof. Moreover, also in this case, a long fulling timeis required.

This invention provides a mode of operation which improves and speeds up both the fulling and washing of fabrics and felts. According to the invention, the piece of goods, after having its ends joined, is passed through a duct having movable 'walls, by which a pressing action is intermittently exerted on the material in different direc tions and more precisely in directions orthogonal with one another.

According to a particular development of the inventive idea, the above mode of operation can be carried into practice to perform both the fulling and the washing of the goods in the same machine, thereby obtaining a multipurpose equipment. This represents a particularly remarkable aspect of the invention, since heretofore the fulling and washing operations were conventionally carried out in two different machines. To attain such result, the fulling operation is carried out by exerting on the goods an intermittent pressing action, with a relatively high frequency and a relatively low strength, while for the washing operation these conditions are reversed, i.e. the latter operation is performed with a greater strength and a relatively low frequency of pressing action.

The machine by which the method according to the invention is carried into practice is characterized essentially in that it comprises a duct, 'whose walls can be moved in directions substantially perpendicular with one another and are rhythmically pressed against the goods, and moved away therefrom, under the action of suitable driving means.

The machine that performs both the washing and fulling operations is thus characterized in that at the end of the fulling operation, which is carried out at a given pressure value and at a given frequency, selector and drive means are caused to enter into action, to thereby change the parameters of the pressing action, i.e. the value of pressure and frequency with which the goods are acted upon by the movable walls. It is also possible to have the goods washed before the fulling operation, since it will be sufficient to thoroughly squeeze the washing liquor out of the goods before submitting it to the fulling operation, and then to final wash.

As can be readily appreciated, recourse may be made, within the range of the invention, to many different means, i.e. to mechanical, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic drives, or to combinations thereof for imparting a reciprocating motion at the required frequency and pressure, to the movable walls of duct; thus, the embodiments as hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be considered as not restrictive examples of the invention, though some of them are stated as the preferred ones. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross section of the machine according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the machine with the components of a pneumatic drive diagrammatically pointed out.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic axial section of a preferred embodiment form of a machine according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of same machine, as seen in the direction of arrows IV in the FIG. 3, and having components thereof left out for the sake of clarity, and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a detail of the machine shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a machine is shown in which pieces of goods, each having their ends connected with one another, can be fulled and washed. The machine is equipped with a combined mechanical-pneumatic drive for the operation of movable walls by which the goods are acted upon. The supporting frame 1 has a vat 2 in its lower section, wherein the goods are collected after passing between two rollers 3 and 4 and through the movable wall channel 5.

The rotary drive is transmitted from an electric motor (not shown), through a belt transmission 6, to a pulley 7, that is keyed on a shaft 8, carrying a preferably wooden roller 3. A sprocket wheel 9, also keyed on shaft 8, is designed to drive, through a chain 10, a further roller 4, also made of wood. Said chain is kept properly tensioned by a chain tensioner formed by a sprocket 11, loosely fitted on a lever 12, which is pivotally mounted as at 13 and is pulled, as at 14, by an adjustable tension spring.

Said roller 4 is fitted on a shaft 15, whereon is also keyed a sprocket wheel 16 cooperating with chain 10. Said shaft 15 is supported by two parallel levers 17, of which only one is visible in FIG. 1, that are pivotally mounted at an intermediate part by a point 18 on the machine frame 1. The rod 20 of a piston 21 is pivotally connected, as at 19, with one end of one of levers 17. Said piston 21 is slidingly fitted in a cylinder 22, that is in turn pivotally connected, at one end 23, with the frame 1 of the machine. The cylinder is of the double acting type, and can be operated by compressed air.

A second pulley 24, keyed on the shaft 8, is designed to drive, by means of a belt 25, a pulley 26. Pulley 26 is keyed on a shaft 27, that is supported in bearings carried by the machine frame 1. Two bevel gears 28, keyed on shaft 27, are respectively in mesh with bevel gears 29, keyed respectively on shafts 30 each of which is supported for rotation by a pair of bearings 31. A pair of cylinders '33 (FIG. 2) are pivotally and eccentrically connected respectively with discs 32, respectively fixed on the ends of shafts 30 distant from gears 29. The rods 35 of pistons 34 that are slidingly fitted inside of cylinders 33, respectively, are pivotally connected as at 37 with op-. posed movable walls 38, that are connected by hinges 39 8 with a metal cage 40 which supports the duct and which is supported in turn, through unillustrated means (e.g. profile irons), by the machine frame 1.

A cam follower 42, carried at the end of a lever 43, that is pivotally mounted, as at 44, on a small supporting member 45 fixed to frame 1, is biased against the track of a cam 41, that is keyed on the shaft 27.

Said lever 43 is connected by an articulated joint 46, with a cylinder 47. The rod 49 of a piston 48, slidingly fitted Within said cylinder 47, is pivotally connected, as at 50, with a wall 51 of the duct 5.

The wall 51, which is perpendicular to walls 38, is articulated by means of the hinge 52 (FIG. 2), with the cage 40.

The duct is thus defined by the two opposed movable walls 38, by the movable wall 51, lower than the former Walls and perpendicular thereto, and by a number of stationary walls. A rectangularly shaped channel is formed by these walls.

The cylinders 33 and 47 are of the double acting type, and are all connected with a common pneumatic circuit which, for the sake of clarity, is shown connected only with the left cylinder 33 of FIG. 2.

Such pneumatic circuit includes a motor-driven compressor, having a reservoir 60 whose output pipe 61 is branched into two ducts 62 and 66, respectively leading to chambers A and B. In one position of a three-way electromagnetic valve 63, with which the duct 62 is fitted, the chamber A is connected with and vents to the surrounding atmosphere, while in another position of this valve, said chamber is connected with the motor-driven compressor. A manually controlled pressure reducing valve 64, provided with a pressure gauge 65, is also fitted in duct 62.

A hand adjustable pressure reducing valve 67, provided with a pressure gauge 68, and fitted in the other delivery duct 66, may be equipped with two stops each of which define a different delivery pressure. An electromagnet, when energized, causes said pressure reducing valve spindle to be turned until it comes into abutment with one of said stops, while when said electromagnet is deenergized, said spindle, which is kept under the action of a spring, is turned in the opposite direction, until coming into abutment with the other stop, that corresponds to a different pressure value.

The above arrangement is already well known, so that a further description thereof can be dispensed with.

In one position of a three-way electromagnetic valve 69, that is fitted in the duct 66, the chamber B is put into communication with the compressed air source 60, while in another position of same valve, the air is vented from the chamber B to the atmosphere. The electromagnetic valve 69 is controlled by a pulse generator, by which it is rhythmically energized.

The operation of the above described embodiment is as follows:

After the goods have been threaded between the rollers 3 and 4, and into the channel 5, compressed air at the required pressure is delivered to the chambers of cylinder 22. The pressure reducing valve 64 is then properly adjusted, whereafter the position of the two stops of pressure reducing valve 67 is suitably adjusted to conform with two different pressure values of compressed air to be delivered into the chamber B. Then the electric motor is started, thereby driving both rollers 3 and 4, as well as the walls 38 and 51, by which an intermittent and alternate action of pressure and release is exerted on the goods which passes through the channel 5. After a given, pre-established time, corresponding e.g. to fulling step, the mechanical connection by which the cylinders 33 and 47 are driven, is disconnected by means e.g. a clutch .interposed between the pulley 26 and the shaft 27. Then the pulse generator is started, and the eleotromagnet controlled thereby is simultaneously energized, whereby the pressure reducing valve 67 is shifted to a different pressure value. The washing operation can then be started. Such operation is performed by the reciprocating motion of pistons 34 and 48, that is controlled by the valve 69, by which the chamber B is alternatively put into communication with the atmosphere, and with the pressure fiuid source 60.

In particular, according to the invention, the fulling operation that is performed by the mechanical system in both transverse and longitudinal directions, is carried-out at a relatively high frequency and with a relatively low pressure, while the washing operation, that is controlled by the valve 69, is carried-out at a low frequency, and under a relatively high pressure.

In a second embodiment form, recourse can be made to a wholly pneumatic system, in place of a combined mechanical and pneumatic system, that is controlled by suitable circuitry. Thus, in the latter embodiment form, no mechanical devices are used to impart a high frequency and low pressure reciprocating motion to the movable walls of duct 5. In such case, the cylinders 33, 47 will be connected with stationary components of the machine, instead of being connected with movable mechanical members. All other components are however similar to those of the previously described embodiment form. Any suitable circuitry can be provided for actuation and control of the aforementioned embodiments.

However, the preferred embodiment form of the invention is that shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Referring to the above figures, two rollers 101 and 102 correspond respectively to rollers 3 and 4 of FIG. 1. The shafts of both rollers 101 and 102 are located in a vertical plane. In advance of said pair of rollers, a further pair of rollers 103 and 104, whose shafts are perpendicular to those of the preceding pair, are provided. The goods to be treated are passed through the space 105, whose four sides are defined by the rollers 101, 102, 103 and 104. The rollers 101 and 102 can be supported and driven like the rollers 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 1, while the rollers 103 and 104 are loosely fitted on their shafts 106 and 107. At both ends of these shafts, I-shaped guide means 108 are provided. Bronze bushes or ball bearings may be fitted in said guide means, which are designed to slide along the straight guides 109 supported between the sides (not shown) of the machine frame. Forks 110 and 111 are respectively connected with the shafts 106 and 107.

The ends of rods 113 of pistons 114, which are slidingly fitted in cylinders 115, mounted on the machine frame, are connected with the intermediate point 112 of forks 110 and 111. The piping 116, by which the chambers 117 of said cylinders are fed, is connected with the pressure fluid source (not shown), which may consist of a motor driven compressor, provided with an accumulator and a pressure regulating valve. A pressure gauge may be fitted in thepiping 116. The pressure exerted on the fabric or felt that is being passed through the space 105 is thus proportional with the pressure existing in the chamber 117. To assure an equal pressure level in both cylinders, the two pipings 116 may be fed by the same source, and through the same pressure reducing valve.

The chambers 119 of cylinders may be also pressurized through the piping 118. In such case, the arrangement may be similar to that indicated for the cylinders 33 of the embodiment shown in the FIG. 2. Thus, the pistons 114 will be acted upon by the pressure differential existing between the chambers 117 and 119. Such pressure differential, as set each time, can be then kept constant, though varying the absolute pressures existing in both chambers. Thus, the extent of displacements due to thick places, beads or foreign matters, possibly present in the goods, can be prope ly adjusted.

The goods, coming from the rollers 101 and 102, are discharged into the channel 130, and subjected to an intermittent pressing action, exerted along two directions that are perpendicular with one another. To such a purpose, one wall 131 of the duct, is connected by the rod 132 with the collar 133, that is fitted around the circular plate 134, eccentrically keyed on shaft 135, which is driven by a motor (not shown) through a belt trans mission. A lever 137 is keyed on each of the protruding ends of a shaft 136, which is fitted through the end section of wall 131. Said levers are moreover pivotally connected, as at 138a, with the opposite side walls 138 of channel 130. The inside face of wall 131 is formed with corrugations 139, having a rather steep front and a less steep back.

When the shaft 135 is driven, to and fro motion will be imparted to wall 131 with respect to the opposite wall 140. Moreover, when the wall 131 is being drawn nearer to wall 140, a further axial motion, directed toward the lower duct outlet, is imparted to wall 131.

A further movable wall 150 is provided downstream of movable wall 131, and perpendicular thereto. A shaft 152 is fitted through each end of wall 1551. The levers 153, fixed with the protruding ends of shafts 152, are pivotally connected, as in 154, to the duct. An articulated parallelogram is formed by the wall 150, the levers 153 and the straight line passing through the pivot points 154. The end of rod 153a of piston 154, is pivotally connected with the upper face of wall 1511, as viewed in FIG. 5. The piston is slidingly fitted in a cylinder 155, fixed with one end of. a rod 156, whose opposite end is fixed with the ring 157, that is in slidable engagement with the periphery of eccentric plate 158, keyed on the shaft 159. Shaft 159 may be an extension of shaft 135, or a separate shaft, powered by a motor through a belt transmission. Both chambers 160 and 161 of cylinder 155, can be connected by the pipings 1611a and 161a, with a pneumatic circuit similar to that shown in FIG. 2. By the above arrangement, the goods are submitted to a rhythmic squeezing along two directions that are perpendicular With one another. The eccentrics are out of phase by 180 degrees with respect to each other, i.e., in such a manner that, when the goods is squeezed by the Wall 131, the other wall 150 is moved away therefrom, and vice versa. A wall 170 is swingably mounted as at 171, and kept in duct closing position by the weight 17. At the upper portion of FIG. 4 is shown a piping 174 by which water, or a detergent solution is fed to a supply header 174 that is mounted directly after the upper roller 101.

While two embodiment forms only of the invention have been described and shown, many modifications and variations thereof may be conceived by a person skilled in the art in the light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details specifically described or illustrated, and that within the scope of the appended claim, it may be practised otherwise than as specifically described or illustrated.

Thus, e.g. the walls of channel 5 may be suitably perforated or apertured to allow the discharge of water or of sizing solution. The movable walls of the channel may be made of wood or of stainless steel. Said channel may be defined by rollers, instead of straight Walls, and the reciprocating motion may be imparted to the movable walls by any known means, e.g. cams, crank gears and the like.

Further the cylinders may be connected to eccentrics in order to give them a reciprocatory motion to and fro in a direction at right angles to their axis. The arrangement, in this case, will be similar to that shown in FIG. 2.

What I claim is:

In a method for treating textile goods, the steps of continuously transporting the goods along a closed path for a given time period, and simultaneously treating the goods during one portion of said time period at one frequency and magnitude of intermittently applied pressure to full the same and during the other portion of said given time period at a lower frequency and higher magni tude of intermittently applied pressure to wash the goods, applying said intermittent pressure first in a first direction extending transversely of said path and then in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and also extending transversely of said path, and treating said goods alternately to said one magnitude and frequency of pressure and said other magnitude and frequency of pressure so as to provide alternate fulling and Washing treatments.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 536,279 3/ 1895 Gessner 26-22 716,147 12/1902 Tinker et al. 26-20 1,806,342 5/1931 Gessner 26-20 1,832,377 11/1931 Gessner 26-20 1,935,526 11/1933 Spuhr et al 2.6-19 2,125,925 8/1938 Jones 26-19 2,144,934 1/1939 Riggs 26-19 2,409,011 10/ 1946 Belcher 26-19 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,296 1854 Great Britain.

3,221 1865 Great Britain.

6,981 1893 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES Finishing of Textile Fabrics, by Roberts Beaumont, 2nd ed., D. Van Nostrand Company, N.Y., 1926 TS 1630 B4, PP- 85, 86.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Primary Examiner. 

